Multipurpose front mounted hitch receiver

Abstract

A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having front tow hooks. This front receiver assembly attaches to a vehicle's front tow hooks and can be mounted or dismounted quickly. This front hitch assembly is adaptable for use with nearly any hitch connector product.

I claim:  
     
       1. A front receiver assembly configured for attachment to vehicles having first and second front tow hooks, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated first frame piece having first and second ends;  
       a first attachment means configured for releaseable attachment with the first end of the first frame piece to the first front tow hook and configurable for extending the second end in the direction of the second front tow hook;  
       an elongated second frame piece having first and second ends;  
       a second attachment means configured for releasably attaching the second end of the second frame piece to the second front tow hook and configurable for extending the first end of the second frame piece toward the second end of the first frame piece;  
       a center receiver assembly configured to interconnect between the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece, said center receiver assembly further having an attachment receiver for receiving and holding an attachment assembly; and  
       means for attaching said center receiver assembly to the first and second frame pieces.  
     
     
       2. The front receiver assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the center receiver assembly further comprises a center receiver frame channel configured to receive in interfitting, slideable relationship the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece. 
     
     
       3. The front receiver assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first frame piece further comprises a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of the center receiver assembly onto the first frame piece at a point wherein the center receiver assembly is not engaged with the second frame piece. 
     
     
       4. The front receiver assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said second frame piece further comprises a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of the center receiver onto the second frame piece at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece. 
     
     
       5. The front receiver assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said first frame piece further comprises a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of the center receiver assembly onto the first frame piece at a point wherein the center receiver assembly is not engaged with the second frame piece. 
     
     
       6. The front receiver assembly of  claim 2  which further comprises locking means for locking at least one of said frame pieces within said frame channel at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece. 
     
     
       7. The front receiver assembly of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means for releasably attaching the first frame piece to the first tow hook and the second frame piece to the second tow hook each further comprises an engagement slot formed in the first end of the first frame piece for receiving a hook therethrough, and an engagement slot formed in the second end of the second frame piece for receiving a hook therethrough. 
     
     
       8. A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having first and second front tow hooks, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated first frame piece having first and second ends, and a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of a center receiver assembly onto the first frame piece at a point wherein the center receiver assembly is not engaged with a second frame piece, said first frame piece having an engagement slot formed in the first end of the first frame piece for receiving a hook therethrough and releasably attaching the first end of the first frame piece to the first front tow hook with the second end of the first frame piece extending in the direction of the second front tow hook;  
       an elongated second frame piece having first and second ends, and a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of a center receiver assembly onto the second frame piece at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece, said second frame piece having an engagement slot formed in the second end of the second frame piece for receiving a hook therethrough and releasably attaching the second end of the second frame piece to the second front tow hook with the first end of the second frame piece extending toward the second end of the first frame piece;  
       a center receiver assembly having an attachment receiver for receiving and holding an attachment assembly and a center receiver frame channel configured to receive in interfitting, slideable relationship the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece; and  
       a locking means for locking at least one of said frame pieces within said frame channel at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece.  
     
     
       9. A front receiver assembly configured to attach to the front tow hooks of a vehicle having first and second front tow hooks, each front tow hook defining a hook eye, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated frame piece having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween, each of said ends configured to engage a front tow hook in a manner whereby a portion of said frame piece is within said hook eye;  
       means for locking at least one end of the frame piece within an eye of a hook; and  
       at least one receiver attached to said frame piece for cooperation with an appropriately dimensioned attachment assembly.  
     
     
       10. The front receiver assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a bracing means attached to said frame piece and configured for engagement with the vehicle when a downward force is applied to the receiver for limiting rotational movement of the frame piece about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       11. A front receiver assembly for use with a vehicle having first and second front tow hooks, with each front tow hook defining a hook eye, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated frame piece having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween;  
       means for attaching the frame piece to said first and second tow hooks;  
       means for locking at least one end of the frame piece within an eye of a hook;  
       at least one receiver attached to said frame piece for cooperation with an appropriately dimensioned attachment assembly; and  
       means for bracing attached to said frame piece and configured for compressive engagement with the vehicle when a downward force is applied to the receiver for limiting rotational movement of the frame piece about its longitudinal axis.  
     
     
       12. The front receiver assembly of  claim 11  wherein said means for attachment comprise: 
       a first attachment device having a central portion defined by a first end extending to a second end, and an engagement slot formed in said central portion for receiving a hook therethrough and releasably attaching the first attachment device to a first tow hook; and  
       a second attachment device having a central portion defined by a first end extending to a second end, and an engagement slot formed in said central portion for receiving a hook therethrough and releasably attaching the second attachment device to a second tow hook.  
     
     
       13. The front receiver assembly of  claim 11  wherein said means for bracing further comprises: 
       a pair of bracing flanges attached to and extending out from the elongated frame piece in juxtaposed relationship; and  
       a cross brace attached to, and interconnecting the bracing flanges, said cross brace configured for engagement with the vehicle, when a downward force is applied to the receiver, for limiting rotational movement of the frame piece about its longitudinal axis.  
     
     
       14. A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having first and second front tow hooks, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated first frame piece having first and second ends and a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of a center receiver assembly onto said first frame piece at a point wherein the center receiver assembly is not engaged with a second frame piece;  
       attachment means for releasably attaching the first end of the first frame piece to the first front tow hook and configurable for extending the second end in the direction of the second front tow hook.  
       an elongated second frame piece having first and second ends and a center receiver connection stop for stopping the lateral movement of the center receiver onto the second frame piece at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece;  
       attachment means for releasably attaching the second end of the second frame piece to the second front tow hook and configurable for extending the first end of the second frame piece toward the second end of the first frame piece;  
       a center receiver assembly having a center receiver frame channel configured to receive in interfitting, slideable relationship the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece and an attachment receiver for receiving and holding an attachment assembly; and  
       locking means for locking at least one of said frame pieces within said frame channel at a pre-selected position wherein said center receiver assembly is engaged with both the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece.  
     
     
       15. A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having first and second front tow hooks, said front receiver assembly comprising: 
       an elongated first frame piece having first and second ends and an engagement slot for receiving a hook therethrough;  
       attachment means for releasably attaching the first end of the first frame piece to the first front tow hook and configurable for extending the second end in the direction of the second front tow hook;  
       an elongated second frame piece having first and second ends and an engagement slot for receiving a hook therethrough;  
       attachment means for releasably attaching the second end of the second frame piece to the second front tow hook and configurable for extending the first end of the second frame piece toward the second end of the first frame piece;  
       a center receiver assembly configured to interconnect between the second end of the first frame piece and the first end of the second frame piece, said center receiver assembly further having an attachment receiver for receiving and holding an attachment assembly; and  
       means for attaching said center receiver assembly to the first and second frame pieces.